The legal representatives of Adamawa-born entrepreneur and investor, Abdullahi Bashir Haske, have strongly condemned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for declaring him wanted over alleged criminal conspiracy and money laundering, describing the move as “a blatant act of illegality and abuse of process.”
In a statement issued late Friday August 22, 2025, by his lead counsel, Mr. Nkemakolam Okoro, the defense team faulted the EFCC’s action, stressing that a motion challenging the validity of the arrest warrant was already pending before the Federal High Court, Abuja.
“The EFCC’s decision to declare Mr. Haske wanted is reckless, unlawful, and amounts to an abuse of court process,” the statement read.
“This is particularly troubling given that there is a subsisting motion before the Federal High Court seeking to vacate the arrest warrant obtained under misrepresentation and suppression of material facts.”
Okoro noted that Haske had shown consistent willingness to cooperate with the anti-graft agency, recalling that he honored the EFCC’s invitation in July and complied with directives, including presenting medical documents after suffering health complications during detention.
“It is therefore disturbing that, despite his compliance, the EFCC sought and obtained an arrest warrant before his agreed return date,” the counsel said.
The legal team argued that the order issued on August 8 was strictly for Haske’s arrest, not for him to be declared wanted, and insisted that the commission acted beyond the scope of the order.
“It is trite law that any court order procured through deceit or concealment of facts can and must be set aside ex debito justitiae (as of right),” Okoro emphasized.
Despite the pending court process, the EFCC on Thursday publicly declared Haske wanted.
In its statement, signed by spokesperson Dele Oyewale, the agency urged Nigerians to provide information on Haske’s whereabouts to the nearest police station or EFCC office nationwide.
The development has now triggered a legal and public storm, with Haske’s lawyers accusing the anti-graft commission of undermining judicial authority while the case remains before the court.
Credit: Punch Nigeria Limited except headline
